Fahey pleased with Royal Kahala's comeback run Peter Fahey has a fine prospect on his hands with yesterday’s Punchestown bumper winner The Big Doyen and the Monasterevin trainer was also very pleased with Royal Kahala’s comeback run on the same card in the Listed Grabel Mares’ Hurdle. The daughter of Flemensfirth, three times a winner at Fairyhouse last term before disappointing when favourite for the mares’ novice hurdle at Cheltenham, recovered from a mistake three out to throw down a strong challenge in the straight. In the end Kevin Sexton’s mount was still half a length adrift of Dysart Diamond at the line but Fahey was keen to draw the positives from his charge’s performance. “I was thrilled with the way she ran,” said Fahey. “The race quickened up a good bit down the back and I told Kevin to have her coming home well on account of it being her first run and the ground was definitely on the quick side for her. “We knew she needed it and I’m delighted with the way she ran. She galloped out really well and put the Cheltenham run behind her. “She jumped well on the whole but the mistake definitely cost us. “The Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham is a long-term aim and I wouldn’t mind stepping her up in trip if the ground wasn’t soft. “She wants soft to heavy ground and gets away with two and a quarter on heavy ground. “She’ll have a couple of entries in Leopardstown at Christmas and travelling over to England is also an option.” Additional reporting by Alan Magee
